How to choose the right lubricant to minimize copper bushing wear?

Consider the working environment

Temperature factors

In high-temperature environments (e.g., copper bushings in metallurgical equipment, where operating temperatures may exceed 200°C), a lubricant that is resistant to high temperatures should be selected. Generally speaking, synthetic oils or greases with special additives have better high temperature performance. For example, polyether-based synthetic oils have a high flash point and can maintain stable lubrication performance at high temperatures, effectively reducing copper bushing wear.

For low-temperature environments (such as in some outdoor winter operating equipment), the low-temperature fluidity of the lubricant is critical. Low freezing point mineral oils or synthetic hydrocarbon lubricants are preferred, as they maintain good fluidity at low temperatures and ensure smooth access to the friction interface between the bushing and the shaft.

Humidity and corrosive environments

In humid environments (such as marine equipment or machinery near the sea) or in the presence of corrosive media (chemical equipment), it is necessary to choose a lubricant with anti-corrosion properties. Greases containing antirust additives, such as lithium grease with antirust agent, can form a protective film on the metal surface to prevent the copper bushing from being corroded, which in turn reduces the wear caused by corrosion. For highly corrosive environments, you can also consider using perfluoropolyether lubricants, which have excellent chemical stability.

Dust and impurity environment

In dusty environments (e.g. mining equipment, construction machinery), lubricants with good anti-pollution ability should be selected. The more viscous grease can better adhere to the surface of the copper bushing, preventing dust and other impurities from entering the friction interface. At the same time, grease containing solid lubricants (such as molybdenum disulfide, graphite) can maintain a certain degree of lubrication performance after the entry of impurities, reducing wear.

Depending on load and speed

High load conditions

When copper bushings are subjected to high loads (e.g. in heavy stamping equipment), lubricants with good extreme pressure properties are required. Lubricants with extreme pressure additives such as sulfur, phosphorus and chlorine form a protective film under high pressure and prevent direct contact with metal surfaces. For example, gear oils containing molybdenum sulfide additives are effective in reducing the coefficient of friction and reducing wear when used on copper bushings in highly loaded gear trains.

High speed conditions

For copper bushings operating at high speeds (such as bearing bushings in electric motors), a lubricant with a low viscosity is required to minimize churning losses and heat generation. Generally speaking, low viscosity synthetic oil or light mineral oil is more suitable. At the same time, in order to ensure sufficient film thickness even at high speeds, lubricants with antiwear additives (e.g. ZDDP - Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophosphate) can also be selected, which form a protective antiwear film on the metal surface.

Depending on the material properties of the bushing

Different copper alloys have different chemical and physical properties. For example, tin-bronze copper bushings have a softer texture and are more compatible with some lubricants. General mineral oil-based grease can be used, but if wear resistance is required to be higher, grease containing nano additives (such as copper nanoparticles) can also be used, and these nanoparticles can fill the tiny pits on the surface of the bushing to further improve wear resistance. For aluminum bronze copper bushing, due to its better corrosion resistance, in the selection of lubricants can focus on the consideration of its anti-wear and load-bearing properties, such as the choice of grease containing borate additives, which can improve the lubrication film load-bearing capacity and reduce the wear of copper bushing.